Doll And Powell Win Career Firsts At The Bullring

June 6, 2012

A good car count provided a good crowd something to cheer about Saturday night at Tyler County Speedway as Derek Doll claimed his first ever Super Late Model victory. Tommy Powell parked his TSMA Modified in victory lane for a career first as well.

In the Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill Super Late Models, Mike Benedum and Derek Doll scored the heat wins. Doll rocketed to the front with Benedum, Freddie Carpenter, Butch McGill, and Charlie Maloney in tow. Carpenter and Benedum swapped the second spot back and forth for the early stages letting Doll build a four car length lead.

As the race stayed green, Doll would never be challenged seriously. The Greenwood native, driving the legendary Doll Brothers-owned #87, grabbed the checkers. Moving up from the crate motor class this year, it is Doll's first career victory in the class. Benedum, McGill, Carpenter, and Maloney filled out the top five.

In the United Rental Industrial Division Crate Late Models, another legendary name parked his machine in victory circle. Third-generation driver Daniel Hill, driving the Larry's Western Shop/Aluminum Service Center #8, would lead flag to flag en route to his second checkerboard of the season.

After fending off some heat from Michael Griffin early on, Hill would then hold off a late charge from Kyle Thomas for the win. Thomas, Joel Prosser (from seventh, in his best run of the year), Danny Thomas and Melvin Ferguson rounded out the top five.

Being in the hospital early Saturday morning for kidney stones, 2 Brother Motorsports Modified driver Tommy Powell braved the pain and came to the race. Taking his heat checkers and starting on the outside pole, Powell out dragged Jacob Hawkins to turn one and never looked back.

Powell, piloting the Wetzel's NASCAR Collectibles Hino Trucks #1, would claim his first-ever Modified victory. Hawkins had to settle for second. Mark Dickson, Brent Trimble, and Shawn Donahue, were third through fifth.

In the Bridgeport Equipment & Tool Hot Mods, Kenny Isner had his hands full with Mike Conkle in the first part of the finale. On a lap eight restart, Travis Thomas slipped by Conkle and began to pressure Isner. As the laps clicked off, Isner held Thomas at bay.

On the white flag lap Thomas pulled even with Isner, but couldn't make the pass. Isner crossed the stripe first, Thomas was second, Conkle, Kip Todd, and Chad Dotson completed the top five, respectively. Isner notched his second win of the season as he carried Mike's Auto Body and Norris Tire on the side of his #7.

Josh Baldwin took command at the drop of the green in the HerringtonYoak Ford Mod Lite feature, as the yellow flew frequently in the early circuits.

A scary moment occurred when Beau Newlon slowed on the back chute. Ryan Harris was quick on the binders to avoid him, but Mike Herrington had no where to go. Herrington launched over Harris' machine and flipped his #88. Luckily, Herrington climbed from the car unhurt.

When racing resumed, Baldwin was still on the point withstanding everything Brandon Fluharty could throw at him. But on lap six, Fluharty in the AAA Homes/ Bridgeport Equipment & Tool #25, made a successful bid for the spot and motored onto his second straight checkerboard. Baldwin would cross in second. Third through fifth were Tracy Fritter, Freddie Carpenter, and Jeff Fornash.

The Custom Engraving 4 cylinders has had one winner in the first six weeks. Donnie Wamsley was the first to cross the line for the sixth straight time. Jason Frazier, Billy Bunnell, Justin Freeland, Zack Jones, Rickie Wright, Mike Harter and JC Carter followed him across.

This week at the Bullring, former NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine will be in the house. Plus, the Tyler County Speedway is offering a "Pack the Track Racing 4 A Cure Night" - $2 off admission when you wear pink.

A donation of $2,500 will be made to local Relay 4 Life if the attendance in the stands exceeds 2,500 people. So show your support for Cancer Awareness on this very special night. Also, Wetzel, Marshall, Ohio Counties Hometown Heroes Night residents show your ID for FREE admission. Kids Club Kid Rides in Race Cars.